Hyundai Kona vs Lexus TX

The 2025 Hyundai Kona retained its fresh and distinctive appearance from the previous year, making it stand out in the crossover class. Its design featured a largely flush, single-piece grille and ultra-slim LED light bars at the front and rear, giving even the gas-powered models a futuristic look. While not traditionally handsome, the Kona's curves, bulges, and sharp angles came together in a satisfying manner. The newer model was noticeably larger, about 15 centimetres longer, enhancing both interior space and its assertive stance. The Kona N Line trim offered a sportier design with body-coloured bumpers and cladding, while other trims like Essential and Preferred added visual appeal with progressively larger alloy wheels and LED lighting.

The 2026 Lexus TX offered a variety of packages, each enhancing its luxurious appeal. The TX 350 came with the Luxury package by default, while the 500h hybrid started with the F Sport Performance 2 package. The TX's design retained a large grille reminiscent of the older spindle grille shape, complemented by sharp bi-LED headlights and rear LED lighting spanning the vehicle's width. The interior offered three colour options, ambient lighting, and suede trim, though the material quality fell short of luxury standards. Redesigned door handles added a modern touch, but some might have preferred more attention to cabin detail. The TX's overall design was sophisticated, with a focus on comfort and practicality.

The 2025 Hyundai Kona offered a choice between a fully electric drivetrain and two gas-powered options. The Essential and Preferred trims featured a 2.0-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine with 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque, paired with Hyundai's Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT). This setup prioritized fuel efficiency but might not appeal to those seeking performance due to the "rubber band" sensation during acceleration. The Kona N Line, however, provided a more powerful turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine with 190 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque, coupled with an eight-speed automatic transmission. This combination offered a broader torque band and more muscular performance, although it could feel flat at low revs. All-wheel drive was available for an additional cost on the Essential and Preferred trims and standard on the N Line, enhancing the Kona's handling and ride quality.

The 2026 Lexus TX 350 came equipped with a 275-horsepower 2.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, while the TX 500h hybrid boosted output to 366 horsepower. The gas model featured an eight-speed automatic transmission, and the hybrid used a six-speed automatic, offering a more traditional driving experience compared to CVTs. The TX 350 included electronically controlled full-time all-wheel drive, while the TX 500h utilized Lexus's Direct4 AWD system for torque distribution. Drivers could choose between Normal, Eco, or Sport drive modes, with Sport mode enhancing throttle sensitivity. The TX 500h also featured adaptive suspension and rear steering for improved handling, though the TX was not designed as a sports car.

The 2025 Hyundai Kona offered impressive cargo capacity, with 723 litres available with the rear seats in place and expanding to 1,803 litres when folded. Rear legroom measured 970 millimetres, providing adequate space for most passengers. The front seats were comfortable, with a range of adjustments, and the interior featured excellent storage options. Upholstery varied by trim, with cloth on Essential and Preferred, leatherette on the Trend package, and Alcantara sport seats on the N Line. Heated front seats were standard in Canada, with additional features like a heated steering wheel and ventilated front seats available on higher trims. Climate control options ranged from single-zone air conditioning to dual-zone automatic climate control with rear vents.

The 2026 Lexus TX excelled in interior space, offering three-zone automatic climate control, heated and cooled front seats, and heated second-row seats. The third row was spacious, with a recline function and ample headroom. Access to the third row was facilitated by a one-touch button on the second-row seat, though folding the second row flat required multiple steps. The front seats were roomy but could benefit from more thigh support. The TX provided excellent cargo space, with 572 litres available with all seats in place, expanding to 1,625 litres with the third row flat and 2,747 litres with all rear seats folded. The TX could tow up to 2,268 kilograms when properly equipped.

The 2025 Hyundai Kona featured a 12.3-inch central touchscreen infotainment display across all trims, offering wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The Preferred trim with the Trend package and the N Line trim included wireless smartphone charging and Hyundai's digital key. The N Line also boasted a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, providing a cohesive and customizable display. Audiophiles could upgrade to the N Line with the Ultimate package for an eight-speaker Bose premium audio system. Hyundai's Bluelink connectivity allowed for over-the-air software updates, ensuring features remained up to date.

The 2026 Lexus TX's technology was a mixed bag. The 14-inch touchscreen was user-friendly, but some features lacked polish, such as the inability to manually input satellite radio stations. Steering wheel buttons controlled various functions but were not labeled, requiring drivers to rely on digital displays for guidance. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, though connectivity issues occasionally arose. A subscription was needed for in-dash navigation and other features, with some packages offering a three-year trial. The TX included a clear back-up camera with an available bird’s-eye view and an Advanced Park system for automated parking. With seven USB ports and wireless charging, the TX ensured devices remained charged.

The 2025 Hyundai Kona impressed with its comprehensive safety features, including Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, Lane Keeping Assist, Blind-Spot Collision Warning, and Rear Cross-traffic Collision Avoidance Assist as standard across all trims. The Preferred trim added enhanced Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, while the N Line with the Ultimate package included advanced features like Highway Driving Assist. All Konas came with six airbags, electronic stability control, and a tire pressure monitoring system. The Kona earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS).

The 2026 Lexus TX featured the Safety System+ 3.0 as standard, offering forward collision warning, lane tracing assist, traffic sign recognition, and Proactive Driving Assist. While the adaptive cruise control worked well, setting it up through the steering wheel controls was confusing. The TX received a five-star crash safety rating from the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA) and an "Acceptable" score from the IIHS for its small overlap front crash test on the driver’s side, with a "Good" score for the passenger’s side.